Vet Times Podcast

David Walker, of Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists, is leading research into cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV), also known as Alabama rot. He speaks to the Vet Times Podcast about those research efforts, including the clinical signs to look out for. –   CRGV was previously reported in greyhounds in the US during the 1980s and 1990s. In the UK, 193 cases have been reported in the UK, with 92% of cases coming between the months of November and May. It is often characterised by ulceration of the distal extremities in dogs, and is invariably associated with clinically significant renal azotaemia secondary to acute kidney injury. In 2018, 52 cases were confirmed in the UK, with 40 in 2017. As of the time of releasing this podcast (6 December 2019), 18 cases had been confirmed in the UK in 2019. Anderson Moores, and its owner Vets4Pets, are at the forefront of work on CRGV. Anderson Moores’ website features a veterinary information sheet [http://bit.ly/35YfNWy] that details background on

In the second of a two-part podcast series on Q fever – brought to you courtesy of Ceva Animal Health – we talk with vet Helen Scott and Kythe Mackenzie, ruminant vet adviser for Ceva Animal health, about management options for this relatively little-known zoonotic disease. –

Senior psychologist Laura Haycock, one of the the speakers in BVA’s #BigConversation, discusses the importance of diversity and inclusion with host Paul Imrie. – BVA launched its “Big Conversation” after a report in July revealed a quarter of vets had experienced or witnessed discrimination in 2019. [http://bit.ly/2R8aKym] The same survey revealed 56% of the profession felt concerned about discrimination and 16% of vets and vet students had personally experienced discrimination within a veterinary workplace or learning environment in the past 12 months. A session was held at BVA Congress, entitled “The value of difference: why we should all care about diversity in the workplace”. – Laura Haycock, of Oxfordshire-based Pearn Kandola [www.pearnkandola.com], graduated with a degree in experimental psychology from the University of Oxford and a masters in applied psychology from Cranfield Institute of Technology. A chartered psychologist and associate fellow of the British Psychological Society, Laura

Adam Rash and Richard Newton, of the AHT, speak to guest host Tom Jackson about 15 years of the Equine Quarterly Disease Surveillance Report – with a focus on this year’s equine flu cases. – Adam Rash is postdoctoral research scientist at the AHT, while Richard Newton is the trust’s director of epidemiology and disease surveillance. The Equine Quarterly Disease Surveillance Report is produced by Defra, the AHT and BEVA, and can be found via the AHT website (http://bit.ly/2O8VxeA) Within the latest report (http://bit.ly/35owvhj), for quarter three, an update on equine flu outbreaks in the UK and Europe is provided. It states: “The majority of outbreaks were confirmed in June and July, and this is largely thought to be due to the high mixing of horses that occurs at this time of year. “The UK saw the highest number of outbreaks and hypothesis for why this occurred is that the UK has a much lower level of vaccinated horses in comparison to Europe, with unconfirmed reports of only 30 to 40 per cent of hors

When it comes to the lambing period, preparation is key. Valentina Busin joins the Vet Times Podcast to discuss research, the importance of the knowledge exchange with farmers and important aspects of pre-lambing preparation. – Valentina Busin graduated from the University of Turin in 2007, and then worked in mixed and farm animal practice for three years. Following this, she completed a three-year farm animal residency and obtained a diploma from the European College of Small Ruminant Health Management in 2014. She then completed a PhD programme within the Moredun Research Institute and Heriot-Watt University on sheep scab diagnostics. Valentina is a university clinician in disease investigation at the University of Glasgow. Valentina wrote an article for Veterinary Times – “Pre-lambing prep – getting you and your clients ready” – that appeared in issue 49.44 (4 November issue). Within the article, she discusses how both vets and sheep farmers can prioritise to help ensure a well-planned lambing ex

This series of two podcasts looks at Q Fever, a zoonotic disease that is relatively unknown. Brought to you courtesy of Ceva Animal Health, part one introduces the disease with part two looking at the management options. –

Diagnosis and management of feline osteoarthritis (OA) can be challenging, especially as research lags behind that of canine OA. Karen Perry joins Paul Imrie to discuss the condition and its implications for cats and owners. Karen Perry has co-written an article (with Michigan State University surgical intern Emily Hartman) in Veterinary Times (11 November issue; VT49.45) called “Treatment of feline OA”. In the article they use an unusual case example to demonstrate their approach to management of this joint disease in cats. The article is online now at vettimes.co.uk [https://www.vettimes.co.uk/article/treatment-of-feline-oa/] Karen graduated from The University of Edinburgh Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies (R[D]SVS) in 2005. After a short period in mixed practice, she completed an internship in small animal orthopaedics and neurosurgery at Fitzpatrick Referrals in Surrey, prior to undertaking a residency in small animal surgery back at the R(D)SVS. Following completion of this in 2010 and achie

Worming in companion animals is a routine, but vital, consideration for dog and cat owners.Vet Kate Parkinson discusses how practices can convey important information to owners in this area. – Kate works as a freelance small animal locum for her company Lend a Paw Locums. She graduated from the University of Bristol in 2006, and since then has travelled to more than 30 countries, working as a veterinary surgeon in Australia and New Zealand, as well as the UK. She has written the Spotlight article for issue VT49.44 that discusses common parasitic worms and why anthelmintic use and client education are vital in lowering the risk of infection. The article “Importance of worming in companion animals” is online now at www.vettimes.co.uk/article/importance-of-worming-in-companion-animals/ Part of the article features a panel adapted from European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites (ESCCAP) guidelines. Full guidance on endoparasites, as well as ectoparasites, vector-borne diseases, mycoses, and par

In this edition of the Vet Times Podcast, we talk to Dave Beeston about his early career, which he’s been chronicling for Veterinary Times readers in a monthly column. Dave started writing for Veterinary Times with a short, occasional series of articles penned during his final year of vet school at the RVC. His aim was to provide advice and help on aspects of final-year life to fellow students. He followed this up with a monthly series, Grad Expectations, charting his final days at vet school and his first forays into veterinary medicine on qualification in 2017. After 18 months in first opinion small animal practice and a brief spell as a locum vet, he is now back on a rotating internship at the RVC and continues to write his experiences for the benefit of others in the monthly Practice Makes Perfect series. All his articles to date can be found online at www.vettimes.co.uk/articles/david-beeston/

Karin Kruger focuses on when vets may have to perform sedation – and in extreme cases anaesthesia – in the field. – Karin is an equine internal medicine specialist at Bell Equine Veterinary Clinic in Kent [www.bellequine.co.uk]. She is an American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine [www.acvim.org] diplomate who completed a residency at North Carolina State University in 2012, as well as a master’s degree in equine anaesthesia in South Africa. Prior to joining the Bell Equine team, she worked in specialist private practice in South Africa and Sweden. She has written an article for Veterinary Times – “Practical equine sedation and general anaesthesia in the field” – which appeared in issue VT49.42 (21 October issue) and which is available online at bit.ly/33AIaJd. Within the article, Karin shares some of the techniques and drugs she has found helpful when sedating and anaesthetising horses.

Shaun Calleja, of Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists, discusses types, diagnosis and management of gastric disorders in cats and dogs – signs of which can be seen in a quarter of primary care practice cases. – Shaun graduated from the RVC in 2014, and worked initially in first opinion practice in Stoke-on-Trent before undertaking a small animal rotating internship at the AHT in Newmarket. He joined Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists in 2018 on a three-year residency in small animal internal medicine, accredited by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. He has co-written, with David Walker, the Focus article “Gastric disease management in companion animal patients”, which appeared in the 7 October issue of Veterinary Times (VT49.40) and is online now at http://bit.ly/2LTfsgv David Walker graduated from the RVC in 2003, and returned there to complete an internship and medicine residency after some time in small animal practice. He is a diplomate of the American and European colleges

Owen Atkinson discusses the hot topic of antimicrobial stewardship, outlining areas where vets and farmers can work together on responsible antibiotic use and progress made in other countries. – Owen Atkinson, BVSc, DCHP, MRCVS, is a recognised specialist in cattle health and production, who worked in farm practice for more than 20 years before establishing Dairy Veterinary Consultancy in 2013. He now provides strategic health advice and training to ruminant and dairy agri-businesses, veterinary practices and dairy farmers throughout the UK. Owen was awarded an RCVS Diploma in Cattle Health and Production in 2013, and is an RCVS-recognised specialist, a CowSignals master trainer and Nuffield Scholar (2010). His interests include lameness, youngstock, building design, rumen health and responsible use of medicines. His mission is to improve the lives of cows and the people who care for them. His article on this topic, “Good antimicrobial stewardship on farms – practical advice”, was the Focus article in

With the Brexit process finally threatening to reach a conclusion on 31 October, BEVA Congress featured a panel discussion on the potential implications of no-deal and other options. This week, guest host Holly Kernot talks to two of the debate’s participants – Roly Owers, CEO of World Horse Welfare, and Neil Hudson, of the University of Edinburgh – for their views on the increasingly polarising subject and the impacts it could have on the veterinary profession.

An EBVM manifesto was launched in June 2019 with the aim of ensuring the profession continually improves by embracing and advancing evidence-based veterinary medicine. Rachel Dean, of VetPartners, and new BEVA president Tim Mair discussed the manifesto’s objectives with equine vets at BEVA Congress. Here, they explain the work carried out so far and their objectives going forward.

Launched in 2011, the PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report has been instrumental as an annual barometer of animal welfare issues in the UK. The 2019 report is just out, and Sean Wensley, PDSA senior vet surgeon for communication and education, talks about its past achievements and future plans. – Produced annually in conjunction with research agency YouGov, the PAW Report is recognised as a rigorous and in-depth assessment of the well-being of the UK’s pets. The Animal Welfare Act 2006 – referred to in the podcast – places a legal duty of care on the owners and keepers of animals to provide for their welfare needs. These cover health, behaviour, companionship, diet and environment. A full link to the legislation is http://bit.ly/2lNL4K8 The latest PAW report focuses on a fall in pet vaccination rates, with 66% receiving primary vaccinations in comparison to 84% in 2016. The full report is available for download at http://bit.ly/PAWReport A news story on the 2019 PAW Report featured in the 9 September is

Veterinary Times editor Paul Imrie speaks to farm vet and consultant Rob Drysdale about bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) and efforts across the UK to eradicate the persistent animal health problem in cattle herds. - Rob Drysdale founded Westpoint Farm Vets in July 2000, and was managing director through to January 2014, when the business was sold. He works as an independent veterinary consultant to dairy and beef farms across the UK and Europe, as well as the pharmaceutical and farming industries. Since undertaking a Nuffield Farming Scholarship, Rob has developed his own fully integrated dairy beef supply chain – StraightLine Beef (https://www.straightlinebeef.co.uk) – rearing 400-plus calves per month, and will finish 4,800 cattle in 2020, many from TB-restricted holdings. The BVDzero Congress 2019 (http://bit.ly/BVDzeroCongress), organised by Boehringer Ingelheim as part of the BVDzero collaboration against bovine viral diarrhoea, was held in July in Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan. The event featured speake